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What is/was the hardest part about the awkward stage for you? Mine was the look. I have thick; full; appearently wavy hair. (didn't know until now since I always had short hair) When wet, my hair looks nice but when dry it looks big, not puffy, just a bit big. My hair looks better when I wake up and fix it since it gets flattened. Some people tell me I looked better with short hair since I walk around with my hair natural since gel is annoying. Sometimes I have the need to reply with a smart a.. comment but decide not too. When my hair is wet I look better than I ever did with short hair so therefore I continue growing it. Hopefully I will be able to tie it back soon. Being able to tie it back was my reason for growing it in the first place.
Well, it sounds like you know what you want. I would hate to think of growing my hair without gel. I think not using it just adds to the torture. A little bit of gel does WONDERS to keep the bigness down. Just a nickel size on your palm could change your life HBK!! Anyway, everyone thinks their opinions are so important and valid. I learn to ignore everyones opinion unless its someone i respect or look up to, then i may consider what was said. Its good you don't crumble at the first sign of negativity, or how someone else THINKS you should look. You will be able to tie it up in no time! Things gained through hardship is just that much sweeter!
My hair sounds like your's, but is probably worse since it's so dry and coarse, but since I started using a straightening iron I haven't had a really bad hair day. You should try one, they work wonders.
Just watch out when it rains.
Don't straightening irons have negative long-term effects on one's hair, though?
I would recommend against a straightening iron because it damages the hair. Stick to gel or mousse.
No, straightening irons do NOT have any long term negative effects. Listen to someone whose used one for almost 2 years now. You only need to use it maybe twice a week, depending on howoften you wash your hair(which shouldn't be often anyway).
Like I said, I have used one for almost 2 years now, on average 3 times a week, and my hair is NOT fried, it ISN'T falling out, it ISN'T dry. Straightening irons are awesome if you ask me, you just gotta try it for yourself.
Have you tried NOT using a straightening iron for a while? After a period of 2 years a handfull of mousse should do the trick.
Yep, I agree - mine have allowed me to get as far as I am today (16mths) without any major bad hair dayz - otherwise I just don't think I could of taken the worst parts of the awkward stage (my sincere respect to anyone who has 'temperamental hair' and has/ is grown it out unaided).
You can get them cheap enough these days and they’re a great investment for anyone who has a wave in there hair and wants (or in my case, needed) to get (temporarily) rid of it.
Where I come from there is a bit of a craze at the minute for the super hot type (copper plated I think). They can cost up to £100 (maybe $150) but they are good. I don’t have a pair but have had the opportunity to use them and they do get my hair wire straight. My own are ceramic plated, cost about a third of that price and (IMO) are almost as good - suit my purpose anyway.
As for the damage they cause, well I honestly don’t know. My hair is very thick and I have felt the need to straighten at least once a day (everyday) for the last 16 mths. I have a few split ends but have had no trims to rid of them so I guess that is to be expected. I think my hair is in fairly good shape (so far), so I would recommend a set. If your hair is so ‘badly behaved’ that you are at the point of cutting – they’ve gotta be worth a try.
Oh yeah, and as already mentioned – avoid the rain (or any moisture) or there powers quickly ware off (especially just after washing).
I really suggest you give the straightening iron a try, though. Trust me, you wanna try everything you can before you cut it or you'll regret it.
Some people's hair is more easily damaged by heat than others. A straightening iron may damage your hair, even though it's fine for other people. To protect your hair from heat damage, you can put straightening balm on your hair first. Besides protecting your hair from heat, it helps it stay straight.
Doug
Ditto. Yes, the irons are great but I find that with mine the straitening effect lasts for only a couple of hours before my hair frizzes out again. Is that because I bought a cheap one? Or will it work better when my hair's longer (currently shoulder length but still layered)?
Thanks.
It could be you bought a cheap one(I dunno about that, though, mine was $20). Maybe you live in a really humid climate, it could be a few things. But mine will keep my hair straight until I wash it again, as long as I keep it dry.
Your hair never seemed bad though in your progress pics. My hair is wavier and thicker, so it doesnt stay behind my ears. It did some months ago, not anymore. Very weird how wavy my hair is considering how straight it use to be when i was a kid.
Well thanks. My dirty little secret on the progress pictures is that I only take them when I think I'm having a good hair day. My hair has only recently started staying behind my ears. In fact once I can get it into a tail I plan to wear it like that for a few months until it is all below my shoulders. One think I can tell you for sure - it does get better with time!
Man, you have that "wash 'n go" type of hair that a lot of people would sell their mother for. It grew out quite nicely in a little less then a year. BTW, do you get a lot of comments where you work?
Thanks for the complement. It is true, I've had it relatively easy growing my hair out. I'm self-employed and generally work from home so not many hair comments from the "staff". (If I had staff they would say I always come to work with my hair wet)! I did get some nice feedback from a couple of former coworkers I ran into who hadn't seen me since I had short hair.
The hardest part for me right now, is not being able to control it very well. I don't want to use gel or anything, but I have to. It doesn't look too bad, except in the bottom/back where it is insane curly. I think I'm gonnna wear a bandanna for the next year :P